CFO and PTC Identify Collaboration Opportunities to Advance Filipino Diaspora Programs

On the 22nd of January, 2026, The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), led by Secretary Dante "Klink" Ang II, met with Mr. Gerardo Borromeo, Vice Chairperson and CEO of the Philippine Transmarine Carriers (PTC) Group of Companies, at the PTC Office in Makati City. The discussion focused on identifying potential areas for collaboration, particularly to advance programs and initiatives that support and engage the Filipino diaspora.

Secretary Ang briefed Mr. Borromeo, and his team on the Commission's mandates and diaspora engagement initiatives for overseas Filipinos, particularly long-term migrants, marriage migrants, and immigrant workers. During the meeting, the PTC proposed referring its hired immigrant workers, specifically EB-3 visa holders, to the CFO, recognizing the Commission's role in providing pre-departure orientation to long-term overseas Filipinos, to integrate immigrant workers into the CFO's broader diaspora engagement framework.
The meeting also highlighted opportunities for institutional collaboration with the US-Philippine Society (USPS) based in Washington, D.C. As a member of USPS, Mr. Borromeo invited the CFO to participate in the upcoming USPS meeting on February 9 and 10, 2026, at The Manila Peninsula. This will serve as a platform for the CFO to present its programs and propose areas of cooperation, particularly those related to diaspora engagement, policy advocacy, and community-building initiatives. These include possible collaboration on lobbying efforts for the portability of US Medicare benefits, partnership under the LINKAPIL program, as well as other concerns affecting Filipino communities in the United States.

To strengthen cultural engagement with the diaspora, Mr. Borromeo also recommended that the Commission connect with Professor Erwin R. Tiongson, a Filipino-American economist and Deputy Director of the Global Human Development Program (GHD) at Georgetown University in Washington. In response, Secretary Ang shared the CFO's plan to conduct a study on disaggregated remittance data from permanent migrants and overseas Filipino Workers.

One concern raised by the PTC Group involved ferry operators in Canada who are not classified as sea-based workers. It was noted that further assessment is needed to determine whether these workers fall within the category of immigrant workers and, consequently, within the CFO's mandate. Both parties agreed to convene a separate meeting with the Canadian Ambassador and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to further evaluate and discuss this issue.

CEO Borromeo also announced the upcoming opening of the Museo del Galleon at the Mall of Asia, conceptualized by the PTC Group. The museum is seen as a potential venue and symbol for promoting Filipino history, identity, and heritage, which are key pillars of meaningful engagement with Filipinos overseas and the broader global Filipino community. Secretary Ang noted that the Museum could be integrated into the CFO's YouLeaD module.

Following the meeting, the CFO team was given a tour of the PTC lobby, featuring the replica of the Galeón Espiritu Santo.

The meeting underscored the Commission’s commitment to forming partnerships with private institutions and organizations, aiming to enhance collaborative efforts and promote initiatives that benefit the Filipino diaspora.

Also present in the meeting were Ms. Marie Del Rosario-Apattad and Mr. Frencel Louie Tingga of the Project Management Division, and Ms. Graciel Antonett Paguinto of the Policy, Planning, and Research Division of the Commission.